Americans with Conscience Checklist

Another resource I can’t recommend highly enough is Jen Hoffman’s Americans with Conscience Checklist. It is an extremely succinct list of weekly actions, top new items, inspirational thoughts and other information. As she notes: The intention of this weekly checklist is to make clear, hype-free suggestions for action for Americans who care about democracy and justice.

The Checklist includes both Action Items across a range of issues (Voting integrity, Civil rights, Immigration) as well as Acts of Gratitude– sending messages of thanks for leaders doing the right things.

I’ve included a recent sample of the Americans with Conscience Checklist below.

This checklist features clear, hype-free actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. Additionally, we practice gratitude, self-care, and celebration to stay engaged. Urgent actions are highlighted in yellow.

Script: Dear Sen./Rep. [name], The president cannot un-designate a National Monument, only Congress can. Please protect Bears Ears National Monument and vote against any bill carving up this sacred land for profit.

Script: I am a resident of [town] writing to advocate for victims of sexual violence in our community. Research shows that rape victims’ memories are impaired by trauma, leading police to mistrust and discredit their accounts. To better serve and protect, I would like your department to use effective questioning that leads to justice. Certified training is available at no cost from End Violence Against Women International and benefits officers, sexual assault victims, and our community. I look forward to your response on this important issue.

Bonus: Edit this message as a Letter to the Editor in your local paper.

I value secure, convenient voting and fair elections.

Democracy thrives when all citizens can freely elect those who represent their values.

Action: Help voters get necessary ID to vote next fall.

Donate: to Spread the Vote. Your contribution helps vulnerable voters afford required ID, get transportation to and from the DMV, and apply for missing documents like birth certificates.

Script: In the wake of the 2016 election, two bills have been introduced that would protect American voting from foreign influence. However, I noticed that the R&A committee has not moved on them. Please protect the integrity of our vote and move forward on S. 1989 (Honest Ads Act) and S. 1585 (DISCLOSE Act). Thank you.

I value the ethical treatment of all people, regardless of immigration status.

Over the next year, the checklist will feature actions that focus on ICE. Specifically, we will:

oppose constitutional violations and inhumane treatment of immigrants by ICE, and

provide caring outreach to detainees.

This daunting-but-vital issue needs our attention.

Read: Imprisoned Justice, an in-depth 2017 report on the conditions of two Georgia ICE detention centers. At minimum, please read the executive summary on pages 5-6.

Thank Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) for admirable leadership on behalf of all Americans. For being among the few Republicans publicly calling for Moore to step down. For showing Congress the importance of basic math in the tax bill. I appreciate your consistent willingness to act with integrity.

Address: 68 Sewall Street, Room 507, Augusta, ME 04330

Thank President Macron and Angela Merkel for their decisive actions to reverse climate change, in spite of Mr. Trump pulling out the Paris Agreement. As an American, I disagree with his actions and am making changes to reduce my personal impact on the climate. Thank you for your leadership for the good of all.